Elemental Technologies, one of the young companies at the forefront of Portland's tech renaissance, named Silicon Valley tech executive John Ewert chief financial officer on Thursday. Ewert is the first person to hold that position at Elemental.

Previously, Ewert had been vice president of finance at a California company, Palo Alto Networks, where he helped lead that company through its initial public stock offering. Ewert had previously held senior positions at Oracle Corp. and Sun Microsystems, and he served nine years in the U.S. Army.

"John's diverse background in senior financial management roles, combined with his dedication and integrity, will be fundamental to Elemental's continued development," Elemental co-founder and chief executive Sam Blackman said in a written statement.

Like Blackman, Ewert has a graduate degree from Cal (Blackman's is in electrical engineering; Ewert has an MBA.) Ewert will move to Portland for his new role at Elemental.

Privately held Elemental makes software that converts video into formats suitable for online broadcasts and viewing on a range of devices. Customers include ABC, the BBC, Comcast, ESPN, HBO and Major League Baseball.

The company has about 160 employees, including 110 at its headquarters on Broadway in downtown Portland.